Consider the following information:

S.No	Layer of Atmosphere	Change in Temperature	Reason for the change
1.	Troposphere	Decreases with altitude	Earth’s surface absorbs solar radiation, warming the lower atmosphere
2.	Stratosphere	Increases with altitude	Absorption of solar radiation ionizes gases, producing heat
3.	Mesosphere	Increases with altitude	Lack of heat-absorbing gases, leading to cooling
4.	Ionosphere	Decreases with altitude	Ozone layer absorbs UV radiation, heating the upper part
5.	Exosphere	Varies (extremely high or low)	Few gas molecules, direct exposure to solar radiation

In how many of the above rows is/are the given information correctly matched?

The correct answer is option 2Key Points

• Troposphere: Temperature decreases with altitude as Earth’s surface absorbs heat from the Sun and radiates it upwards.
• Stratosphere: Temperature increases with altitude because the ozone layer absorbs harmful UV radiation, generating heat.
• Mesosphere: Temperature decreases with altitude due to lack of heat-absorbing gases and loss of infrared radiation to space.
• Ionosphere: Temperature increases with altitude as high-energy solar radiation ionizes gas molecules, generating heat.
• Exosphere: Temperature varies greatly due to very few gas molecules and direct exposure to solar radiation.

Important Points

• The troposphere is where weather phenomena occur, and it contains 75% of the atmosphere's mass.
• The stratosphere hosts the ozone layer, which protects life from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
• The mesosphere is the coldest layer in the atmosphere, reaching temperatures as low as -90°C.
• The ionosphere is responsible for radio wave reflection, allowing long-distance communication.
• The exosphere transitions into outer space, where gas molecules escape Earth's gravity.

Additional Information

• Temperature inversion occurs in the stratosphere, where warm air remains above cooler air.
• Meteors burn up in the mesosphere, protecting Earth from space debris.
• The ionosphere expands and contracts based on solar activity, affecting GPS and radio signals.
• Satellites orbit in the exosphere, where air resistance is minimal.